Donna Daniels, ODNR, Division of Wildlife, writes:

“I clarified with the Franklin Co. Wildlife Officer (Brad Kiger) on the letter permits he issues to allow a game animal (such as fox) to be trapped outside of the legal trapping season.  I wasn’t sure when I spoke with you earlier but found out it is his practice to issue the permit to the nuisance trapper (such as Varment Guard) but only after the trapper supplies him with detailed information on the property that the trapping will take place, and complete property owner and contact details.  Further, the trapper must report back to him within a specified timeframe of what was trapped.  Usually, the nuisance trapper will contact the wildlife officer on behalf of the property owner to obtain the permit but all of the details are required. 

 In the case of a condo or housing community with a governing board, the wildlife officer requires that the president/leader of the housing association approve the action before he issues the permit.” 

Hi Friends and Neighbors–

We continue to defer to and count on our mentors to educate and inform us. 

A question is asked about whether it is okay to trap fox in the neighborhood (for safety–to protect young children and cats from fox) and the procedure. A neighbor reports a coyote chasing a fox through their backyard and a question of concern about young children being safe is raised. As many of you know, fox and coyote live in the ravine. I’ve had reports of sightings since 2002 (when our group began). It is important to learn and become knowledgeable about the wildlife living in Adena Brook so that we can live peacefully and safely together. I have confidence in Donna Daniel’s expertise to listen and recommend advice when help is needed.

Donna Daniel, ODNR, Div of Wildlife, writes:

“A private landowner would need a permit from the ODNR, Div. of Wildlife to utilize lethal control for fox ON THEIR LAND.  If the fox are on city property or on a neighbor’s property then a private landowner cannot act (nor can they hire a nuisance trapper to do the work) without the property owner’s permission.  A nuisance trapping company (like Varment Guard) should know to deal with the proper and actual owner of the land and what permits are necessary and how to attain them.

I would urge the person(s) who views the foxes as a nuisance to call the Wildlife District One office (614/644-3925) so that we could find out the entire story, educate them about foxes and what to expect with a den.  In many cases the best solution is to just leave them alone and within a few weeks they will disperse.  But, again, the specific recommendation would depend on the details of this situation.”

Donna M. Daniel
ODNR, Division of Wildlife
1500 Dublin Rd.
Columbus, OH  43215
614/644-3925
614/644-3931 FAX

HELP KEEP ADENA BROOK CLEAN

A neighbor reported seeing bubbles in the brook last weekend. I reported this to the City and Jeff Cox responds:  ”It is important that instances of sanitary sewerage overflow be reported immediately to a Sewer Operation and Maintenance Center Dispatcher at 645-7102. 

If the overflow is caused by a blockage then maintenance activities can be immediately performed to restore flow.  If it is a capacity issue, then the overflow can be documented and future consideration can be given to implementing a CIP to correct the problem.  A Dispatcher is always available at the number above 24/7/365.

 Please report any suspicious discharges, such as bubbles, to the brook or area storm sewers to Jeff Vesco at 645-0362.  Jeff oversees our illicit discharge program and is available Monday thru Friday, between 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Jeff will immediately dispatch an investigator to the scene.  For suspicious discharges occurring outside these hours, please use the 645-7102 number to report the discharge.  Personnel from our sewer maintenance center will investigate after hours.  Keep in mind that it is always easier for us to identify the source and responsible party for illicit discharges as the discharge is occurring.  For this reason, immediate reporting and response is critical to eliminating the discharge in the future.”

Jeff Cox, P.E., City of Columbus, Dept. of Public Utilities, Stormwater and Regulatory Management Section

Today Adena Brook Community was recognized with a SWACO Emerald Award at their annual luncheon held at the Easton Hilton. Each year SWACO honors an individual, a business, and an organization or community for an Emerald Award. SWACO’s program is the premier recognition event in Central Ohio focusing on waste reduction and environmental stewardship. Robert Seed from Keep Columbus Beautiful nominated Adena Brook Community and the committee awarded our group “for six years of environmental leadership, litter clean-ups, invasive plant removal, native tree planting, and installing the first City/Community rain garden at High and Overbrook.” Neighbors Bill and Nan Platt accepted the award on behalf of all Adena Brook Community volunteers. Keynote speaker Ed Begley, Jr., actor and Los Angeles environmental steward, inspired the group of approximately 1000 attendees with stories about living a green life and operating a green business. Joining Bill and Nan at the event were Georgia and Steve Blum-Herminghausen, Ann Florentine and Derek Hansford, Diana Jung Stacey, Wan Jung, and Susan Michael Barrett. Neighbor Greg Cunningham attended representing The Limited.

Hi neighbors,

The spring bird migration is in full force, with many birds returning and many more winging their way through our neighborhood and headed north. If you maintain feeders, now’s the time to keep them full. I’ve been treated to a flock of rose-breasted grosbeaks for the last week, who have ravenously devoured sunflower seeds from my feeders. One evening I had 5 males all at once! Orioles are also returning, so if you place an orange half in a secure place (up and away from our raccoons), you may attract these beauties, too.

This Satuday is International Migratory Bird Day. Birders from across the country will be out in force counting species and numbers. The theme this year is ”Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People”. Say Hi if you see any birders in the ravine this weekend.

And remember - keep cats indoors!

Greg

Greg Cunnigham, Ohio Audubon Board Member

Hi Susan,
I am trying to figure the actual questions that need to be answered.   I spoke to Linda the other day about the pair of red foxes.  We discussed the situation with cats as well as the seasonal behavior of the foxes. In our region, red fox kits are now at the age where they are starting to leave the den and forage nearby, so both parents have been very active and working very hard to keep them fed in the last few weeks.  They tend to be more visible during the day and also may hunt in a more opportunistic way (taking cats when available).  By mid-July, the kits will be around 80% of the adult height and will have their characteristic red coat.  At that time, fox sightings should be very common until september-ish.

Coyotes are also tending to their pups now, but they should be less visible in the neighborhood since they tend to be much more elusive than at other times of year.  As far as their predation on domestic cats, this should be a concern for local pet cats.  Unfortunately, cats are a highly desired food item for coyotes, and they will even take them when hunger is not a likely reason.  Honestly, cats are not safe in coyote habitat.  As far as the concern for small children, the only documented coyote attacks have been in geographical and seasonal situations much different from central Ohio.  There have been circumstances (in extreme extended winters) when coyotes have hunted as a pack and stalked children and adults running alone.  Those situations are rare and usually avoidable (like supervising children that are so small they can be carried off).

As far as sick and injured wild animals.  While Dr. Messer is a very good resource for public health concerns, any concerns about injured or sick wild animals should be directed to us (Ohio Wildlife Center) or the Ohio Division of Wildlife (1-800-WILDLIFE).

Hope this helps!
Lisa

Lisa Fosco, Director of Animal Care, Ohio Wildlife Center

May 3, 2008 CLEAN UP

Some neighbors don’t mind working in the rain. The gentle rain and sound of the brook was soothing. Our mentors tell us the MOST IMPORTANT HELP TO THE WOODLAND RIGHT NOW is getting rid of the garlic mustard. Leave honeysuckle and litter removal for next month. These 13 people pulled garlic mustard:

Steve Blum-Herminghausen, Mark and Carina Carter, Stacey and Tanner Durst, Ellen Hoover, Nan and Bill Platt, Greg Schneider, Christine, Aaron, and Mimi Svoboda, Susan Michael Barrett.

Mentor Greg Schneider (sits on the Central Ohio Invasive Plants Council) said we have about 1 week left to pull garlic mustard before the seed pods are fully formed. We put garlic mustard in brown plastic bags because the seeds continue to grow after pulling. We are advised: DO NOT PUT GARLIC MUSTARD OUT WITH OUR YARD WASTE FOR CITY PICK UP; INSTEAD, PUT IT IN YOUR GARBAGE BIN. We had one bag of litter.

Jim Roberts hauls and shreds the group’s garlic mustard at a high temperature and recycles the plastic bags.

Recently, neighbor Linda Niswonger (380 E. Cooke Road) spoke with the Ohio Wildlife Center about foxes attacking cats. Linda wrote to share what she learned after talking with OWC staff:

NEIGHBOR LINDA WRITES: They said, very simply, don’t let cats out.  This is a fox’s natural habitat and there is nothing they (Ohio Wildlife) can do.  While the fox are here, everyone just needs to keep their cats indoors.  I feel for everyone & everything involved but partly why we live here in the ravine is for the wildlife. The fox will not continue to attack a cat if they see humans. I, personally, found that out Saturday.  I will help spread the word in my area.  Thanks for your help.     

ELAYNA GRODY (City Rec and Parks) wrote: I actually researched the topic of cats let out side and found out the following: Pet cats let outside live an average of less that 5 – 7 years while those kept indoors live and average of 10 -12 years (due to getting diseases for other animals, including feral cats, getting hit by cars, getting lost and getting attacked) Pet cats let outside kill a large number of wildlife (estimated at up 1,000 animals per year per cat), especially birds and small mammals, even though they are fed regularly by their owners.  The kill out of instinct not out of hunger. Pet cats may mate with feral cats, which increases the feral population of cats.  There are a lot of feral cats out there.  Some estimates are between 100 and 1,000 feral cats per square mile with more being in urban setting as opposed to rural settings.  One study indicated that as many as 60% of un-neutered/spayed household pet cats become feral within 3 years.  This is due in part to people who get a pet cat, but then move without taking them along or abandon them in some other way, such as kittens of their house pet being left to roam.  It is also prevalent in transient communities such as apartment complexes, colleges/universities, etc. So it is good advice for both the cats and the wildlife to keep your cats indoors!  ) Thanks for spreading the good wisdom!

GREG CUNNINGHAM (Audubon Board Member) wrote: Besides that, the birds are either now or will soon be nesting. Cat killings of adult birds usually doom the whole brood, as single birds rarely keep up with the food and warming needs of a nest full of babies. And once they fledge, they are especially vulnerable to cats. Especially during nesting season, cats should be kept indoors (I think I lost a mother Robin that was already sitting on a nest this week to a cat).

LINDA NISWONGER writes: There are both fox and coyote in our ravine (Adena Brook)!!  The coyotes seems to go after anything smaller than them…even the  fox!! ( We know we have a breeding pair of Fox & they probably have kits who they are protecting at this point.) Cats who get in the way are “food” for all of them! We probably need to be more concerned about the coyote than the fox! Any suggestion you have would be appreciated!  I don’t think any of us wants anything bad to happen to these animals.Thank you!

ELAYNA GRODY writes: You do not need to worry about coyotes.  They are very skittish and will leave the immediate area when approached.  They mostly eat rodents, birds, eggs, etc.  They only occasionally will take a cat.  But they will not even think about humans as food – even small children. As with all wildlife, if you see one that is sick (not moving, moving slow, acting confused), you would want to keep your distance and call the ODNR Wildlife officer or City Health Dept (Dr. Aaron Messer). Coyotes and foxes do us a great service by keeping small mammal populations and even goose populations (they like the eggs) somewhat controlled.